eMagwaveni settlement in Tongaat is under violent police attack. (2:00 p.m. 2 May)

For the second time in a month the eMagwaveni settlement in Tongaat is under violent police attack.

As happened last time the police are disconnecting people from electricity and people are being assaulted and arrested. A number of people have had property stolen by the police.

Abahlali baseMjondolo will develop a full press statement with the people of eMagwaveni once the police have left, the injured have been treated and the arrested have been freed. But they have asked that that this urgent notification be sent out immediately as people are being assaulted, arrested, robbed and disconnected from electricity right now. It would be very helpful if the press and others could get to the scene to witness what is happening.

Please contact Niza on 0764225861.

All those who criticised us for refusing to celebrate Freedom Day and instead mourning UnFreedom Day should note how in South Africa being poor is treated as a criminal offence. We are taken as if are outside of citizenship, as if the ordinary rules are not for us, as if anything can be freely done to us.

The war against the poor continues.

Once again the police have chosen to arrest and assault Bahlali on a public holiday when getting lawyers is difficult. Hardly a public holiday goes by without attacks from the police. These are days to be feared.